Going Across - Chapter 4: The Quiet Infiltration
Planet Bruth - Outer Space
As the Lynx pierced through Bruth's thick skies, the tension in Nova's grip eased—until the proximity alarms shrieked. "What now?!" he barked, yanking the controls just as an enormous observatory asteroid loomed into view. There was no time. CRASH! The ship's wing clipped the asteroid's edge, sending metal shards and shattered debris spiraling into space. The observatory crumbled in a silent explosion, while the Lynx spun out, warning lights flashing red.
"Rear thrusters are toast!" Pip screamed, clinging to the panel as Dot's cracked voice chimed in, "Structural integrity compromised—this bird's not flying far." Nova gritted his teeth, scanning for an emergency landing zone. "Nearest nebula—Mint. That's where we're going." The Lynx sputtered into the dense, swirling clouds of the Mint Nebula, its green haze swallowing the broken ship. With a final, jarring lurch, they crash-landed onto an empty runway, the impact rattling through the hull. Silence followed—until Pip coughed out static, "First Dot, now Lynx. We're running out of things to break."
Cyan Nebula
Murmur of conversation filled the Cyan Nebula's bar, its glass walls framing the swirling blues outside. Nikolai sat at a corner table, swirling the last of his drink as Maxim scanned the room, his optics flickering. A contact slid into the seat across from them—a lean, fish-like being with translucent fins trailing from its temples. "Solar System 1D98," the contact said, sliding a data chip across the table. "It's the core of the infiltration now. Planet Atai's is the only one standing strong, holding out as the last line of defense. They've turned it into the heart of the Defiance." Nikolai pocketed the chip with a nod, his expression calm but focused. "Edge of the galaxy," Maxim muttered, folding up the digital screen. "Because why make things simple?" The contact chuckled dryly. "The deeper you go, the darker it gets. Watch yourself." As the figure melted back into the crowd, Maxim's optics flicked toward Nikolai. "So, straight into the hornet's nest?" "Da" Nikolai replied simply. Maxim's metal fingers tapped the table. "Alright. Let's have some fun." With that, they set course for 1D98, where the real storm brewed.
Nikolai and Maxim returned to their suite, the weight of the new intel pressing heavy. The glow of the nebula outside painted shifting patterns across the walls as Maxim popped the data chip into the console. Layers of encrypted files loaded onto the screen—solar system maps, infiltration routes, list of spies—all waiting to be unraveled. Before they could dive in, a sharp knock echoed through the room. Maxim opened the door, unimpressed as the concierge being wheeled in a food trolley. "Room service. Enjoy." The concierge's voice was flat. Maxim stepped aside, but his optics scanned the tray instantly. As the being lifted the lid off the dish—bam—a small metal sphere sat at its center. "A grenade? Really?" Maxim scoffed, snatching it before it could roll. The concierge lunged at him. The grenade hissed, releasing dense silver gas that immediately filled the room. "Idiot. I'm a bot. This won't work on me, but Nik—" Maxim sneered, gripping the concierge's arm—just as Nikolai stumbled into the room, already coughing violently, his hand clutching his chest. "Max—" Nikolai gasped before collapsing to his knees. The concierge broke free, shoving Maxim hard, sending the bot skidding into the wall. Before Maxim could recover, the concierge dove for the exit. Maxim didn't chase. Priority One was Nikolai. He grabbed an overturned metal tray, slamming it down over the still-fuming grenade, sealing most of the gas inside, but the room was thick with haze. Nikolai twitched, gasping. "You discount-grade nuisance, I will find you," Maxim muttered, flipping his mechanical wrist open to reveal a hidden injector. He knelt beside Nikolai and jabbed it into his neck. "You're not dying today." Nikolai's breathing steadied, though it didn't fully normalize. Maxim hauled him over his shoulder. "Oh the heavy lifting—again." He burst into the hall, shoving startled guests aside, heading straight to the adjacent med-center emergency area. Inside, Maxim slammed the red alert button, calling for an emergency physician while grabbing the nebulizer mask. Minutes stretched. Finally, Nikolai's eyelids fluttered open. "You—chased him?" he rasped. "Nah," Maxim replied dryly. "Saving your life seemed more important. Though... I did snag this." He flicked a rhombus-shaped brooch he'd yanked from the concierge during the scuffle onto Nikolai's lap. Nikolai picked it up, fingers brushing over the metallic edges. Flipping it over, he spotted a deep-etched 'K' with a crown on top.
"King. Again," he muttered, his jaw tightening. "Yup. And it's not just a badge—it's carrying location data," Maxim added. Nikolai sat up, coughing once before reclining. "Good. Because I want to know who the hell that was." A few hours later, Nikolai pushed himself upright in the med-center chair, the worst of the gas effects cleared. Two doctor beings fussed over his vitals, but his focus was elsewhere—on Maxim, who sat nearby, tapping at the screen. "Nik, I traced the brooch," Maxim finally spoke, his voice more serious than usual. "It's pinging from Planet Ruuste, Solar System 1D98." Nikolai's jaw clenched. "The one next to Planet Atai?" "Exactly. That Solar System's the cavity in the tooth right now," Maxim quipped, though the humor was thin. Nikolai swung his legs off the med-bed, ignoring the doctor beings' protests—"Huelding javaidn dhsjj! You need monitoring! Wkshdhke!"
"Let's go there," said Nikolai. Maxim tilted his head, "It's far. You should rest—especially after getting gassed by that wannabe assassin." Nikolai's eyes narrowed, "After this attack? I'm more invested than ever." He hesitated for a beat before adding, "These infiltrations... they make me uneasy. And now—" He fixed his shirt's top buttons. "Something about all this feels... familiar. But I can't remember why." Maxim's sensors flickered, a rare sign of concern. "You sure it's not just the gas still messing with your circuits?" Nikolai cleared his throat. "Ruuste." Maxim nodded once, already plotting the course. Alright, Nik. Let's crack it open. "Da." Nikolai replied.
Leaving the Cyan Nebula, their ship now cruised through the vast expanse of outer space. Maxim flicked through news streams on a screen suspended from the ceiling, positioned just behind their seats. "Huh," he said, pausing on a report. "A spaceship crashed into an observatory asteroid just outside Planet Bruth—guess someone panicked on the exit," Maxim remarked. Nikolai glanced up; the screen showed the twisted wreckage of the observatory, with a familiar ship—the Lynx—drifting among the debris. Maxim's optics flared. "Wait, that's the same ship we saw entering—when we were leaving Bruth." He rewound his earlier recordings, zooming in on the ship. A figure and two small bots flickered into view—Nova, Pip, and Dot. "Hmm.. I don't recognize 'em." Nikolai studied the screen, his expression unreadable. "Start a file on them."
Maxim opened a new tab, tagged the Lynx, Nova, and the two small bots, then flipped to the next feed. A clip from the Independent Media Stream played—Nyssa giving her testimony. Nikolai's gaze locked on the screen. Her steady voice, raw urgency, and the glint of determination in her honey-brown eyes froze him in place. Maxim observed Nikolai sinking into the clip. "You're—" he started, then stopped himself, choosing not to interrupt. Nikolai didn't look away. "Keep this one on radar." Maxim simply replied, "Well." Nikolai ignored the comment, his fingers tightening on the console as Nyssa's face faded from the screen.
Cyan Nebula
The noise of the spacecab's thrusters faded as it docked at the port of Cyan Nebula. Nyssa exhaled, her breath fogging slightly against the chilled interior. The port's glowing teal arches and crystalline towers stretched before her—majestic and untouchable. Stepping off the cab, Nyssa caught sight of a sleek, advanced ship on the nearby runway. A tall young man, whose white shirt under the black suit was playing with his chest's skin in the wind, and his slicked-back black hair giving space for his cheekbones and jawline to catch every eye around, climbed aboard alongside a bot of equal height. The ship's engines flared as it prepared for takeoff. She paused, admiring the scene—the handsome man, the flawless lift-off, and the smooth, effortless speed of the spaceship as it flew off into the vast expanse, completely unaware it was Nikolai and Maxim, departing just moments after her arrival.
Mu walked alongside Nyssa, her crystals reflecting the aqua glow of the nebula. "Safe landing, no turbulence. Ten out of ten," she chirped. Nyssa didn't answer as they headed to the luxurious reception at the bed and breakfast. She took a quick trip to the restroom where she foxed her blue contact lenses, tie her brown locks into a bun and clipped on fake bangs that hid half of her face. While waiting on the sofa, her fingers rummaged through her backpack, pushing aside a pack of cookies, energy cells, some meds, and her Leaf. Something small and metallic clinked beneath her fingers. She pulled it out—a pendant. A spade-shaped pendant. Her heart jumped. "Mu... this—this is from that mercenary." "Yeah, you're right! I saw one of them wearing it," Mu replied, leaning in for a closer look. "Flip it." Nyssa turned the charm over. Etched on the back was a large K, topped with a crown. "King," Nyssa whispered. "Like the playing cards from Ora Nebula." "The theme suits a killer, huh?" Mu quipped, but her eyes dimmed. "Nyssa, there is a King. Someone powerful wants you caught... and it could be him." Nyssa swallowed hard, shoving the pendant deep back into her bag.
Navigating the quiet corridors of Cyan Nebula's residential deck felt oddly surreal—soft ambient lights, polished walls, and the occasional hum of passing service drones. It was a stark contrast to the chaos Nyssa had been running from. Mu walked ahead, her crystals faintly glowing, though dimmed for caution. "Left turn. No, wait—scratch that, a security drone's doing rounds. We go right," Mu directed, her voice hushed but still carrying her usual spark. They reached a sleek, unmarked apartment door, its control panel glowing a soft blue. Nyssa stepped closer to the door and spoke softly, 'Quartz'—their old family code word. "Nyssa?" A grizzled man with silver-streaked hair and deep-set eyes stood inside, surprise flickering across his face before it softened into concern. "Uncle Kaden," she breathed. Uncle Kaden, her father's second cousin, pulled her inside swiftly, the door sealing shut behind them. The apartment was sparse and cold—bare metallic walls, a single table with a few scattered data pads, and a cot pushed against the corner. No personal touches, no lingering warmth—just a space to hide. "Are you alright? How have you been? I saw your video. I thought you were a smart girl—you should've stayed underground. You shouldn't have come here. The whole system's on high alert after your broadcast," Kaden muttered, though his eyes betrayed the relief of seeing her alive. "I didn't have a choice," Nyssa said, her voice strained. "I'm sorry for dragging you into this and risking your cover. But I don't understand anything and nowhere feels safe with bounty hunters chasing me everywhere."
He sighed deeply. "Stay here tonight. But tomorrow, you must go to Planet Atai. Vale 32—that's where they're keeping your father and others. But listen to me—don't head there directly. It's useless. Meet Veyra on Atai first. She's an old friend, currently holding the fort with the Defiance. She'll have the real-time data you'll need." Kaden stood and walked to the luxurious yet untouched kitchen, gathering ingredients for a meal. "As much as I know," he continued, slicing bread, "there's a silent mass infiltration happening. Like they replaced your father, they're doing this across the galaxy—starting with low-level leaders." Nyssa got up and joined him, grabbing a tomato and helping him slice it. Her hands were steady, but her mind raced. "Intel says the invasion is from the other side," Kaden added, voice lower now. Nyssa froze mid-slice. "The other side?" "Revrife. The King there. He's searching for something... in our galaxy." "But what?" Nyssa pressed. Kaden shook his head. "We don't know yet."
The bruschetta was ready. They sat on the sofa, plates in hand, the TV casting soft blue light across the room. The Independent Media Stream ran on the screen, covering another planet under siege. Mu, who had been unusually quiet, finally spoke up. "So, how is Cyan Nebula safe?" Kaden didn't look away from the screen. "The owners are elite—wealthy enough that no one dares to poke around here. That's why I can hide out. But it doesn't take much..." He hesitated. "Doesn't take much for anyone to get corrupted," Nyssa finished for him. "Exactly," Kaden confirmed. He set his plate down. "I need to take my meds and get some sleep. You can take that room." He pointed toward a door. "But before sunrise, I'll arrange transport. You should head to Atai as soon as possible." "Veyra," Nyssa repeated, locking the name into memory.
Minutes later, Kaden called Nyssa into another room, leaving Mu in the hall. He stepped closer, his tone heavier than before. "I have something for you." Nyssa blinked. "What is it?" "A verbal enchantment," he said. "It's old Shield Guard magic. In a crisis, say the words: 'Ancient Stars, Halt Time'—out loud, not just in your head—and with complete focus on what you intend. Focus is everything. It'll trigger a temporal shield, freezing the immediate area for five seconds. Enough time to run... or fight." Nyssa gawked. "A... Shield Guard enchantment? Five seconds? What is all this?" Kaden nodded solemnly. "Your father wanted to tell you about our lineage on your birthday, but—" he gestured around, "all this happened before he could. Old magic exists, Nyssa. Maybe the galaxy's forgotten, but it's still here. This enchantment is for your safety—a gift passed down from our ancestors.
The crushing weight of everything—truth, fear, and reality—finally broke her. Nyssa's breathing quickened. Her chest tightened. Panic surged. She clutched her head, her knees giving out as she collapsed to the floor, wheezing loudly. "Mu! Get in here!" Kaden barked. Mu bolted in, seeing Nyssa on the floor. "Nyssa!" Together, they lifted her onto the sofa. Mu knelt beside her, her white and lavender hands gently warming. She pressed a soft cushion into Nyssa's arms and offered her hand to grip. "Breathe, Nyssa. I'm here. Focus on my voice.
Glazed or sprinkled, round and sweet,
A donut's joy is hard to beat.
Soft and fluffy, a perfect treat,
A little bite makes life complete!" Mu sang Nyssa's favorite childhood song softly.
The panic dulled after a few agonizing minutes. Nyssa's breathing slowed, though tears still rimmed her eyes. Kaden handed her a glass of warm water. "You're stronger than this," he said, kneeling in front of her. "Listen to me. You are a Shield Guard. A Disciple of the Harrows. Protector of the Shield that defends this galaxy. Guardian of Inferife. You're stronger than you think. You can overcome anything—just like the Shield and you ancestors." Nyssa's hands shook as she wiped at her face. But slowly, she nodded. "You will go to Atai," Kaden continued. "Stay there until we figure out a solution. You with me?" She managed a small smile. "I'm with you." He ruffled her hair, his expression softening. "Good. Now, get some sleep. Tomorrow, you'll need your strength."
Before dawn, Mu swapped her contact lenses for ones with a white-colored iris. She taped a silicone tip to elongate her nose and finished her makeup with layers of highlighter and glitter, transforming into an Aera. She'd become a master of disguise. They stepped into the cold port air. Nyssa cast one last glance at Cyan Nebula's towering spires. "Let's go," she whispered, pulling her hood tighter. Mu zipped up beside her, crystals sparkling in the pale light. "Onward! To danger and very questionable life choices!" Nyssa almost laughed—but instead, she walked faster.
Mint Nebula
Nova spent the next few hours at Mint Nebula getting both the Lynx and Dot repaired. While the bots were being worked on, he headed to a nearby café for a quick snack. Green fog drifted gently in the background as he sat down, only to spot a familiar face—Ook, seated at a corner table. "Didn't expect to see you here," Nova grinned. They sat outdoors, sharing a few words when chaos struck. A thief-being lunged past, grabbing Pip mid-stride. "Hey!" Nova leapt up, bolting after him, with Ook close behind. "Put me down!!!" Pip shrieked, clawing at the thief-being's horns. Nova's legs burned as he closed the distance, tackling the thief's back. But the being twisted around, locking his arm around Nova's neck in a chokehold, still gripping Pip with the same hand. With the other, he pulled out a listol, its barrel aimed directly at Pip's core.
Ook caught up, gun drawn, but the scene left him frozen—Nova trapped, Pip in danger. Remembering his vow to protect the bots, he made the impossible choice. Bang! The shot struck Nova's left shoulder. The thief flinched reflexively, pulling the trigger—hitting Pip, who yelped and fell free. Gasps echoed through the street as Nova dropped to his knees, blood dripping from his shoulder. "Go! Run!" Nova shouted, his voice strained. Pip limped to safety, sparks flickering from his damaged leg. The thief didn't get far—local security swarmed in, restraining him swiftly. Ook rushed over, guilt etched across his face. "Nova—I didn't—" Nova winced through the pain. "You did what you had to." Ook rushed to Nova's side, looping an arm under his shoulder and hoisting him up. Nova winced, blood still seeping through his shirt, but gritted his teeth and staggered to his feet. Though distraught, Nova forgave Ook—he had only kept his promise. The realization brought a wave of relief, softening the weight in Nova's chest. Once Nova's wound was dressed and sutured, his arm now in a sling, he nodded at Ook, "Thanks for saving Pip." Ook apologized again before heading off, leaving Nova to rest and recover.
Nova lay on the med center's reclined bed, his body heavy under the numbing influence of painkillers. He couldn't move, but his mind wasn't still. Memories surged in—sharp and chaotic. Her clothes scattered around the house. The note: "Taken across the shield. DO NOT FOLLOW." Dot plummeting thousands of miles. The bazooka shots from the bear-beings. The crash. Pip being stolen. The gunfire. The memories twisted into a rising tide, crashing over him. His chest heaved in a loud, strained wheeze, as if a heavy weight was crushing him. 'MUM!!!' he screamed, his voice raw with anguish. Hot tears spilled freely, soaking the collar of his sweatshirt as he broke down, sobs wracking his body. Suddenly, his breathing quickened—shallow, uneven. The monitor beside him blared warning tones. Medical staff rushed in, finding Nova trapped in a spiraling anxiety attack. One of the physicians swiftly injected a stabilizing drug. His breathing slowed, the pressure slipping away as unconsciousness pulled him under.
Hours later, Nova awoke, feeling clearer, though there was a foggy blankness where the anxiety had been. He barely remembered the attack. After speaking briefly with the med staff, he signed his discharge papers and left, the sling still hugging his arm. The station was quieter now. He headed straight for the workshop, the weight of everything still lingering in the middle of his chest, but dulled. With his arm in a sling, Nova approached the mechanic, who sat glued to a TV streaming a strange broadcast. The low volume barely carried over the grind of the workshop, but Nova caught glimpses of a report: "Infiltration in Solar System 1D98—Planet Atai fights back, urging all planets to strengthen defenses." Curious, Nova discreetly snapped a picture of the screen with his Leaf, but as he shifted, his elbow knocked a screwdriver off the table—clank! The mechanic turned sharply, narrowing his eyes before quickly changing the channel. Spotting Nova's injured arm, he gestured to a nearby chair. "The bots?" Nova asked, settling down. "Good as new. Your ship too—both inside on standby," the mechanic replied. Nova made the payment and casually asked for some extra tools. While the mechanic rummaged through drawers, Nova threw in, "So... that channel earlier—what was it?" The mechanic stiffened, his suspicion immediate. "You don't know IMS? You from where?" Nova raised his free hand. "I'm digging into this mess too. Never even heard of IMS—just trying to make sense of it. The Lynx and Dot? They got caught in the crossfire."
After a beat of hesitation, the mechanic relaxed, but not fully. He peppered Nova with a few pointed questions before finally explaining that IMS—Independent Media Stream—was an underground network exposing the suppressed truths buried within the galaxy. "Solar System 1D98 is nearly overrun, but Planet Atai's holding strong. You want answers? That's where you go." Nova absorbed the info, but the next revelation caught him off guard. "A woman from our galaxy crossed the Shield three weeks back. But here's the real twist—Shield Guard's daughter? She's alive. In hiding. Gave her testimony on IMS just yesterday." Nova blinked, shocked at the scale of what he'd been missing. "Do you have the clip?" The mechanic pulled it up, but just seconds in, a customer arrived. He flicked the screen off and smoothly played along with the customer. Nova nodded, thanked him, and stepped out, heading across the road to buy comet cards for Planet Atai. As he left the registry, a couple passed by mid-argument. "Magic's still out there—just not for everyone," the female being insisted. "You and your damn stories," the male dismissed, waving her off. Nova hesitated, then jotted the line into his Leaf. With everything happening, it felt worth remembering. Back aboard the Lynx, he found Pip and Dot recharged and waiting. Nova hugged them both. "Alright, team. Planet Atai's next." The engines roared to life, and they lifted off, heading straight into the heart of the conflict.
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